FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Financial assets:
Securities held to maturity	$ 396,300	$ 437,300
Equity investments	2,015	2,048
Other investments
Receivable from global payments business, net	79,892	85,605
Financial liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,746,626	2,422,151
Federal funds purchased		150,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances	355,000	100,000
Carrying Amount
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	36,438	26,780
Overnight deposits	140,929	230,638
Securities held to maturity	478,886	510,425
Loans, net	5,302,189	4,795,647
Other investments
FRB Stock	11,410	11,421
FHLB Stock	21,607	9,191
Disability Fund	1,500	1,000
Time deposits at banks	498	498
Receivable from global payments business, net	79,892	85,605
Accrued interest receivable	28,460	24,107
Financial liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,746,626	2,422,151
Money market and savings deposits	3,739,265	2,803,698
Time deposits	35,698	52,063
Federal funds purchased		150,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances	355,000	100,000
Trust preferred securities payable	20,620	20,620
Prepaid debit cardholder balances	10,297	10,579
Accrued interest payable	1,211	728
Secured Borrowings	7,621	7,725
Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	36,438	26,780
Overnight deposits	140,929	230,638
Securities held to maturity	396,258	437,290
Loans, net	5,178,993	4,737,007
Other investments
Disability Fund	1,500	1,000
Time deposits at banks	498	498
Receivable from global payments business, net	79,892	85,605
Accrued interest receivable	28,460	24,107
Financial liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,746,626	2,422,151
Money market and savings deposits	3,739,265	2,803,698
Time deposits	35,115	51,058
Federal funds purchased		150,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances	355,000	100,000
Trust preferred securities payable	19,999	19,953
Prepaid debit cardholder balances	10,297	10,579
Accrued interest payable	1,211	728
Secured Borrowings	7,621	7,725
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	36,438	26,780
Overnight deposits	140,929	230,638
Other investments
Time deposits at banks	498	498
Financial liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,746,626	2,422,151
Money market and savings deposits	3,739,265	2,803,698
Accrued interest payable	166	112
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial assets:
Securities held to maturity	396,258	437,290
Other investments
Disability Fund	1,500	1,000
Accrued interest receivable	922	964
Financial liabilities:
Time deposits	35,115	51,058
Federal funds purchased		150,000
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York advances	355,000	100,000
Accrued interest payable	637	293
Secured Borrowings	7,621	7,725
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Financial assets:
Loans, net	5,178,993	4,737,007
Other investments
Receivable from global payments business, net	79,892	85,605
Accrued interest receivable	27,538	23,143
Financial liabilities:
Trust preferred securities payable	19,999	19,953
Prepaid debit cardholder balances	10,297	10,579
Accrued interest payable	$ 408	$ 323